Vibration damping support spacers for electron gun mounts in cathode ray tubes



June 6, 1967 ALLEN I 3,324,336

' R. J. VIBRATION DAMPING SUPPORT SPACERS FOR ELECTRON GUN MOUNTS IN CATHODE RAY TUBES Filed April 1, 1965 6/ INVENTQR 79 Flaw/w J ALLEN BY 59 @MZW United States Patent 3,324,335 VIBRATIQN DAMPING SUPPORT SPACERS FUR ELEC'RGN GUN MOUNTS IN CATHUDE RAY TUBE Richard J. Allen, Waterloo, N.Y., assignor to Sylvania Electric Products Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 444,583 8 Claims. (Cl. 313-258) When this invention relates to electron discharge devices, and more particularly to resilient positioning means for interiorly locating the electron beam generating and controlling assembly in specific alignment therein.

In many conventional electron discharge devices, such as radio and cathode ray tubes, resilient type spacer positioners or snubber supports are generally utilized to space and align an electron generating and controlling assembly or electron gun within an evacuated envelope. Positioners for this usage are normally fabricated of mica or metal having a certain degree of resiliency and are fashioned in a variety of ways to make pressured contact between the electrode assembly structure and the encompassing envelope.

In numerous applications, electron discharge devices are subject to operational conditions involving severe shock and vibration during the normal course of usage. For example, cathode ray tubes of the types utilized in airborne equipment are normally subject to the several aforementioned environmental conditions and must be constructed accordingly. Likewise, certain other tubes, such as industrial types, also require rugged internal spacer support to fulfill stringent electron gun-to-envelope alignment specifications necessary to insure optimum operational performance. Furthermore, in certain types of tubes it is essential to maintain positive electrical ressured contact or connection between the electron gun assembly and a conductive coating disposed on the inner surface of the encompassing envelope. In many electron discharge devices, where lengthy resilient positioning members are employed to achieve spaced support and contact, there is apt to be relative motion of the electron gun with respect to the envelope under severe shock conditions. As a consequence, specified alignment of the gun Within the envelope is at least temporarily out of specification, or possibly permanently misaligned so as to render the tube operationally instable or permanently inoperable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide improved shock and vibration resistant spacing and positive contact means for supporting electrode assemblies in electron disc-harge devices.

Another object is the provision of an assembly support structure that is capable of imparting a wide range of resilient rigidity wherein the desired support resiliency can be determined at time of attachment.

A further object is to provide, to an electrode assembly, spacing and contact support that requires limited space to effect a maximum degree of resilient rigidity.

A still further object is to provide resilient support to an electrode assembly within an encompassing envelope and effect pressured electrical connection with a conductive coating disposed on the inner surface of the envelope.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by the provision of an electron discharge device in the form of a cathode ray tube having therein an electron gun assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely oriented assembly member. The assembly is suitably spaced from an encompassing envelope by a plurality of resilient me tallic spacer supports. Each of these supports comprises a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg each having a plurality of related portions therein. Each of the legs has a proximal foot which is affixed to the transverse gun assembly member in a position substantially radial to the axis. The foot of the outer leg is positioned adjacent the perimeter of the transverse member with the foot of the inner leg being oriented radially toward said axis. Both legs are terminally joined at their distal ends to provide a two-leg spacer support which projects from the assembly member in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto and radial to the axis. Both legs have a plurality of related bends spaced therein to provide related pivotal means for the respective leg portions to form a series of connected lever elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations representative of the two respective legs. Thus, the lever combination of the inner leg imparts resilient strength to the lever combination of the outer leg, which is formed to contact the inner surface of the envelope. The positioning of the legs on the assembly member determines the angular orientation of the lever elements in the two related lever combinations of the respective legs and provides the desired degree of resilient support for the gun assembly by effecting pressured contact with the envelope.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following specification and appended claims in connected with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partly sectioned elevational view of a cathode ray tube showing pertinent portions thereof;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the electron gun structure with the resilient spacer means attached;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the spacer means taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the support legs taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURES 5, 6, and 7 are elevational views showing diiferent embodiments of the invention.

With reference to FIGURE 1, an electron discharge device in the form of a cathode ray tube 11 is shown for purposes of illustration. The tube comprises an envelope 13 having a face plate 15 with a screen 17 formed on the inner surface thereof, a funnel portion 19, and a contiguous neck portion 21 having an electrode assembly or electron gun 23 spacedly aligned and positioned therein with a longitudinal axis 24 extending therethrough. Resilient spacer and support means 25, suitably affixed to the electrode assembly 23, are positioned to consummate gun alignment and make electrical contact with a conductive coating 27 disposed on the inner surface of the funnel portion of the envelope and extended a partial distance into the neck portion 21.

The electron gun 23, undetailed in FIGURE 1, is fashioned to generate and control electron beams and can be of a variety of compatible electrode constructions dependent upon intended usage. The electrode gun assembly as detailed in FIGURE 2 illustrates a single gun structure 23 having a cathode 29, with a heater 31 positioned therein, spaced and oriented within a first grid 33. A second grid 35, an accelerating anode 37, spaced lens cups 39 and 43 with surrounding lens ring 41 and the final anode 45 make up the sequentially positioned gun components. These parts are held together in spaced alignment by a plurality of projecting studs 47 embedded in longitudinal members or ceramic beads 49. The final anode 45 is shaped to have a transversely formtd terminal member 51 to which a plurality of formed resilient metallic spacer support members 25 are attached or bonded as by welding. Each of these supports is fashioned to provide a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner leg 53 and an outer leg 55. The two-legs are compatibly shaped in a related manner and are positioned relative to one another with their respective distal portions 54 and 56 merging in overlay relationship to facilitate bonding there-together as a common distal end 57 and thus provide an integral two-leg spacer support structure 25. The two-leg members each comprises a plurality of related portions with discrete bends therebetween to effect a series of related lever elements with connective pivotal means. In this manner, each leg forms a cooperating lever combination wherein the elements of the inner leg 53 provide strengthening to the outer leg 55 which is formed to contact the inner surface 22 of the encompassing envelope neck portion 21 and the conductive coating 27 disposed thereon. The lengths of the related lever elements in each leg combination along with the spaced positioning of the respective legs on the transverse assembly member 51 determine the angular orientation of the related lever elements therein to provide resilient spacer support for the electron gun 23 and consummate the desired degree of pressured contact with the envelope sidewall.

In greater detail, the inner and outer legs 53 and 55 of the spacer support 25 have proximal feet 59 and 61, respectively, which are formed to facilitate afiixation to the transverse electrode member 51. These feet are spaced apart in a substantially tandem position with the outer foot 61 positioned and bonded adjacent the perimeter 52 of the assembly member 51 and the inner foot 59 oriented and bonded radially inward, toward the assembly axis 24, from the outer foot position. As shown in FIG- URE 2, in close positioning it is expedient to affix the outer foot 61 to the under side of the assembly member. When a wider spaced positioning is utilized, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, both feet of the support structure are afiixed to the top surface of the transverse member 51.

Since the legs comprising the support structure somewhat resemble anatomical members, analogous nomenclature will be utilized in this specification to describe certain of the structural portions of each leg, i.e., tibial and femoral portions in conjunction with a knee and pelvic curve. With reference to the outer leg 55, the outer proximal bend 63, which somewhat resembles an ankle, separates the transversely formed proximal foot 61 from the adjacent tibial portion 65 which extends to a knee bend 67 thereabove. From the knee bend the outer leg continues in the form of a femoral portion 69 that extends longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from the axis 24 in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through a normal pelvic curve portion 71 in the outer leg formed to provide contact with the encompassing envelope. From the pelvic curve 71, the outer leg terminates in an outer distal portion 56 which extends toward the axis 24 and away from envelope contact. In similar fashion the inner proximal bend 73 separates the affixed foot portion 59 of the inner leg 53 from the adjacent inner tibial portion 75 which extends to an inner knee bend 77. Beyond the knee, the leg continues longitudinally as an inner femoral portion 79 in a diagonal manner away from the axis 24 in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an inner pelvic curve 81 which is spaced toward the axis from the outer pelvic curve 71. The inner leg thence terminates in an inner distal portion 54 which merges with the outer distal portion 56 in overlay relationship to facilitate bonding theretogether to form a common distal end 57. The two-leg spacer support 25 thus formed projects from the assembly member 51 in a plane perpendicular thereto and radial to the axis 24 and extends beyond the periphery of the assembly member to make resilient contact with the encompassing envelope portion 21. With reference to FIGURE 3, a plurality of these two-leg spacer supports 25 are oriented in a spaced manner on the electrode member 51 to align the electron gun 23 within the encompassing envelope portion 21 by consummating resilient contact therewith. Electrical contact is also achieved with the conductive coating 27 disposed on the inner surface of the envelope 21.

' In the two formed legs, the respective tibial, femoral, and distal portions are connected to form a series of related lever elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations; and the proximal bends, knees, pelvic curves, and the common distal end provide related pivotal means to facilitate movement of the related lever elements.

In referring to FIGURE 4, it has been found that the addition of transverse cambers 70 and to the respective outer and inner longitudinal femoral portion 69 and 79 imparts beneficial rigidity to these lever elements and thereby enhances desired movement of the lever combinations.

A one-piece embodiment of the configur-ated spacersupport 25' can be fashioned from a single-piece member 83 as shown in FIGURE 5. The two legs are formed as aforedescribed with the outer distal portion 56' and the inner distal portion 54 merging at a common distal bend 85.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG- URE 6 wherein the support means 26 is afiixed to an electrode assembly member 51 having a projecting peripheral lip 87 therearound. The outer proximal foot 61' is formed for bonding to the lip of the assembly member, and the outer proximal bend 63 defines the transition from the outer proximal foot 61' directly to the outer femoral portion 69, the outer tibial portion being omitted in this embodiment of the spacer support structure 26. The inner leg 53, which is the same as described for the first embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 3, has a foot 59 formed for afiixation to the transverse portion 50 of the assembly member 51'.

Still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, utilizes leg structures in which the tibial portions are eliminated in both legs. The outer proximal bend 63' separates the outer foot from the outer femoral portion 69; and in a similar manner the inner foot 60 integrally joins the inner femoral portion 79 at the inner proximal bend 73'. Movement is effected by the respective femoral and distal portions as related lever elements in conjunction with related pivotal means afforded by the respective outer and inner proximal bends 63 and 73', pelvic curves 71 and 81, and the common distal end 57. In general, less resiliency is achieved by this support structure since fewer related lever elements and pivotal points are involved in the combined lever movement.

With reference to the various embodiments shown and described, it is evident that modified support structures can be fabricated by combining the various leg structures to achieve a rugged and related lever movement that provides the desired resiliency and rigidity of support in a minimum of attachment spacing. The transversely formed assembly member is not required to be an electrode member, nor are the locations of the spacer support members restricted to terminal positions on the electrode assembly.

Regardless of the embodiment, or combination thereof, before the electrode assembly is positioned within the envelope neck, a plurality of the resilient supports are oriented in a spaced manner in a chosen position on the assembly member with the outer legs extending beyond the periphery thereof; the circle defined by the pelvic curves of the outer legs being slightly greater than the internal diameter of the encompassing envelope neck portion. Upon positioning the electrode assembly within the envelope, contact with the glass wall, or the coating disposed thereon, is made by the pelvic curves of the outer legs forcing the spaced support inward toward the axis to conform to the internal diameter of the encompassing envelope thereby apply pressure to the cooperating lever combinations. This provides positive alignment and support for the gun assembly within the envelope and effects electrical connection between the envelope coating and the electron gun.

There is thus provided improved shock and vibration resistant spacing means for ruggedly supporting electrode assemblies in electron discharge devices. The plural element cooperating lever combinations of the spacer support are capable of imparting a wide range of resilient rigidity to the electrode assembly that is predeterminately regulated by the spaced positioning of the respective leg attachments to the assembly member.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electron discharge device having an electrode assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member, a plurality of resilient spacer means for laterally supporting said assembly within an encompassing envelope portion and making positive contact therewith, each of said spaced means comprising:

a resilient metallic spacer support having a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg, each having a plurality of related portions therein, each of said legs having a proximal foot affixed to the surface of said transverse assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis, said legs being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position with said outer leg positioned adjacent the perimeter of said assembly member and said inner leg oriented radially toward said axis therefrom, said legs being terminally joined at their distal ends to provide a two-leg spacer support projecting from said assembly member in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto and radial to said axis, said inner leg of said spacer support providing strengthening means to said outer leg which is formed with a discrete curve therein to contact said envelope portion, said joined legs each having a plurality of related bends spaced therein to provide related pivotal means for the related leg portions forming lever elements therebetween to effect a cooperating lever combination in each leg, said tandem positions of said legs determines the angular orientation of said related lever elements therein to provide resilient support for said assembly and effect pressured contact with said envelope portion.

2. In an electron discharge device having an electrode assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member, a plurality of resilient spacer means for laterally supporting said assembly within an encompassing envelope portion and making positive contact therewith, each of said spacer means comprising:

a resillient metallic spacer support having a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg each having a plurality of related portions therein to provide a lever combination wherein said inner leg strengthens said outer leg which is formed to contact said envelope portion; said legs having respective inner and outer proximal feet formed as seating means for affixing said legs to said transversely formed assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis, said respective proximal feet being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position thereon with said outer proximal foot positioned adjacent the perimeter of said assembly member and said inner proximal foot placed radially toward said axis therefrom, said legs having merging distal portions oriented in overlay relationship and joined to form a common distal end to provide a two-leg spacer support projecting from said as sembly member in a plane perpendicular thereto and radial to said axis; said outer leg being a single formed member whereof an outer proximal bend separates said proximal foot from an adjacent outer tibial portion which extends to an outer knee and continues therefrom as an outer femoral portion extending diagonally away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progressing through an outer pelvic curve the convex surface of which provides said envelope contact portion, said outer leg terminating in said outer distal portion extending toward said axis and away from envelope contact; said inner leg being a single formed member whereof an inner proximal bend separates said inner proximal foot from an adjacent inner tibial portion extending to an inner knee and continuing therefrom as an inner femoral portion extending diagonally away from said axis in the same plane as said outer leg and progression through an inner pelvic curve spaced toward said axis from said outer pelvic curve, said inner leg terminating in said inner distal portion joining said outer distal portion in said bonded common distal end; said respective tibial, femoral, and distal portions being sequentially connected to form related elements in each of two c0- operating lever combinations wherein said proximal bends, said knees, said pelvic curves and said common distal end effect related pivotal means for movement thereof; the lengths of said related lever elements and said spaced positioning of said respective legs determine the angular orientation of said related lever elements to provide resilient spacer support for said assembly and effect pressure contact with said envelope portion.

3. In an electron discharge device having an electrode assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member, a plurality of resilient spacer means for laterally supporting said assembly with an encompassing envelope portion and making positive contact therewith, each of said spacer means comprising:

a resilient metallic spacer support having a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg, each having a plurality of related portions therein to provide a lever combination wherein said inner leg strengthens said outer leg which is formed to contact said envelope portion; said legs having respective inner and outer proximal transverse feet formed to provide seating means for afiixing said legs to said transversely formed assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis, said respective feet being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position thereon with said outer foot positioned adjacent the perimeter of said assembly member and said inner foot placed radially toward said axis therefrom, said legs having merging distal portions oriented in overlay relationship and bonded to form a common distal end to provide a two-leg spacer support projecting from said assembly member in a plane perpendicular thereto and radial to said axis; said outer leg being a single formed member whereof an outer proximal bend separates said outer foot from an adjacent outer tibial portion which extends to an outer knee and continues therefrom as an outer femoral portion having a transverse camber therein, said outer femoral portion continues longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an outer pelvic curve, the convex surface of which provides said envelope contact portion, said outer leg terminates in said outer distal portion extending toward said axis and away from envelope contact; said inner leg being a single formed member whereof an inner proximal bend separates said inner foot from an adjacent inner tibial portion which extends to an inner knee and continues therefrom as an inner femoral portion having a transverse camber therein, said inner femoral portion continues longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an inner pelvic curve spaced toward said axis from said outer pelvic curve, said inner leg thence terminates in said inner distal portion being joined with said outer distal portion in said bonded common distal end; said respective tibial, femoral, and distal portions being sequentially connected to form related elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations wherein said proximal bends, said knees, said pelvic curves, and said common distal end effect related pivotal means for movement thereof; the lengths of said related lever elements and said spaced positioning of said respective legs determine the angular orientation of said related lever elements to provide resilient spacer support for said assembly and effect pressured contact with said envelope portion.

4. In an electron discharge device having an electrode assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member, a plurality of resilient spacer means for laterally supporting said assembly within an encompassing envelope portion and making positive contact therewith, each of said spacer means comprising:

a resilient metallic spacer support having a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg, each having a plurality of related portions therein to provide a lever combination wherein said inner leg strengthens said outer leg which is formed to contact said envelope portion; said legs having respective inner and outer proximal transverse feet formed to provide seating means for affixing said legs to said transversely formed assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis, said respective feet being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position thereon with said inner foot bonded to the upper surface inward from the perimeter thereof toward said axis and said outer foot positioned adjacent said perimeter and bonded to the under surface thereof, said legs having merging distal portions oriented in overlay relationship and bonded to form at a common distal end to provide a two-leg spacer support projecting from said assembly member in a plane perpendicular thereto and radial to said axis; said outer leg being a single formed member whereof an outer proximal bend separates said outer foot from an adjacent outer tibial portion which extends to an outer knee and continues therefrom as an outer femoral portion having a transverse camber therein, said outer femoral portion continuous longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an outer pelvic curve, the convex surface of which provides said envelope contact portion, said outer leg thence terminates in said outer distal portion extending toward said axis and away from envelope contact; said inner leg being a single formed member whereof an inner proximal bend separates said inner foot from an adjacent inner tibial portion which extends to an inner knee and continues therefrom as an inner femoral portion having a transverse camber therein, said inner femoral portion continues longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an inner pelvic curve spaced toward said axis from said outer pelvic curve, said inner leg thence terminates in said inner distal portion being joined with said outer distal portion in said bonded common distal end; said respective tibial, femoral, and distal portions being sequentially connected to form related elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations wherein said proximal bends, said knees, said pelvic curves, and said common distal end effect related pivotal means for movement thereof; the lengths of said related lever elements and said spaced positioning of said respective legs determine the angular orientation of said related lever elements to provide resilient spacer support for said assembly and effect pressured contact with said envelope portion.

5. In an electron discharge device having an electrode assembly with a longitudinal axis extending 'therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member, a plurality of resilient spacer means for laterally supporting said assembly within an encompassing envelope portion and making positive contact therewith, each of said spacer means comprising:

a one-piece resilient metallic spacer support fashioned to provide a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg, each having a plurality of related portions therein to provide a lever combination wherein said inner leg strengthens said outer leg which is formed to contact said envelope portion; said legs having respective inner and outer proximal feet formed to provide seating means for afiixing said legs to said transversely formed assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis, said respective proximal feet being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position thereon with said outer proximal foot positioned adjacent the perimeter of said assembly member and said inner proximal foot placed radially toward said axis therefrom, said legs being joined by merging distal portion at a common distal bend to provide said integral two-leg spacer support projecting from said assembly member in a plane perpendicular thereto and radial to said axis; said outer leg being a single formed member whereof an outer proximal bend separates said outer proximal foot from an adjacent outer tibial portion which extends to an outer knee and continues therefrom as an outer femoral portion which extends longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an outer pelvic curve, the convex surface of which provides said envelope contact portion, said outer leg thence continues to said outer distal portion extending toward said axis and away from envelope contact; said inner leg being a single formed member whereof an inner proximal bend separates said inner proximal foot from an adjacent inner tibial portion which extends to an inner knee and continues therefrom as an inner femoral portion which extends longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an inner pelvic curve spaced toward said axis from said outer pelvic curve, said inner leg thence continues to said inner distal portion which integrally merges with said outer distal portion at a common distal bend, said respective tibial, femoral, and distal portions being sequentially connected to form related elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations wherein said proximal bends, said knees, said pelvic curves and said common distal bend effect related pivotal means for movement thereof; the lengths of said related lever elements and said spaced positioning of said respective legs determine the angular orientation of said related 9 lever elements to provide resilient spacer support for said assembly and effect pressured contact with said envelope portion.

6. In an electron discharge device having an electrode assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member having a peripheral lip therearound, a plurality of resilient spacer means for laterally supporting said assembly within an encompassing envelope portion and making positive contact therewith, each of said spacer means comprising:

a resilient metallic spacer support having a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg each having a plurality of related portions therein to provide a lever combination wherein said inner leg strengthens said outer leg which is formed to contact said envelope portion; said legs having respective inner and outer proximal feet formed as seating means for affixing said legs to said assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis, said respective proximal feet being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position on said assembly member with said outer proximal foot positioned substantially on the peripheral lip of said assembly member and said inner proximal foot placed on the top surface thereof radially toward said axis, said legs being joined at respective distal portions to form a common distal end to provide a two-leg spacer support projecting from said assembly member in a plane perpendicular thereto and radial to said axis; said outer leg being. a single formed member having an outer proximal foot formed for aflixation to said lip of said assembly member, an outer proximal bend separates said outer proximal foot from an adjacent outer femoral portion which extends longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said outer proximal bend and said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an outer pelvic curve which provides an envelope contact portion, said outer leg thence terminates in said outer distal portion extending toward said axis and away from envelope contact; said inner leg being a single formed member whereof an inner proximal bend separates said inner proximal foot from an adjacent inner tibial portion which extends to an inner knee and continues therefrom as an inner femoral portion extending longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an inner pelvic curve spaced toward said axis from said outer pelvic curve, said inner leg thence terminates in said inner distal portion being joined with said outer distal portion in said bonded common distal end; said outer femoral and distal portions and said inner tibial, femoral, and distal portions being sequentially connected to form related elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations wherein said proximal bends, said knee, said pelvic curves, and said common distal end effect related pivotal means for movement thereof; the lengths of said related lever elements and said spaced positioning of said respective legs determine the angular orientation of said related lever elements to provide resilient spacer support for said assembly and effect pressured contact with said envelope portion.

7. In an electron discharge device having an electrode assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member, a plurality of resilient spacer means for laterally supporting said assembly within an encompassing envelope portion and making positive contact therewith, each of said spacer means comprising:

a resilient metallic spacer support having a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg each having a plurality of related portions therein to provide a lever combination wherein said inner leg strengthens said outer leg which is formed to contact said envelope portion; said legs having respective inner and outer proximal feet formed as seating means for afiixing said legs to said assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis, said respective proximal feet being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position on said assembly member with said outer proximal foot positioned adjacent the perimeter of said assembly member and said inner proximal foot placed radially toward said axis therefrom, said legs being joined at respective distal portions to form a common distal end to provide a two-leg spacer support projecting from said assembly member in a plane perpendicular thereto and radial to said axis; said outer leg being a sin le formed member whereof an outer proximal bend separates said outer proximal foot from an adjacent outer femoral portion which extends longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said outer proximal bend and said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an outer pelvic curve which provides an envelope contact portion, said outer leg thence terminates in said outer distal portion extending toward said axis and away from envelope contact; said inner leg being a single formed member whereof an inner proximal bend separates said inner proximal foot from an adjacent femoral portion which extends longitudinally in a diagonal manner away from said inner proximal bend and said axis in a plane radial and parallel thereto and progresses through an inner pelvic curve spaced toward said axis from said outer pelvic curve, said inner leg thence terminates in said inner distal portion being joined with said outer distal portion in said bonded common distal end; said outer and inner femoral and distal portions being sequentially connected to form related elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations wherein said proximal bends, said pelvic curves, and said common distal end effect related pivotal means for movement thereof; the lengths of said related lever elements and said spaced positioning of said respective legs determine the angular orientation of said related level elements to provide resilient spacer support for said assembly and effect pressured contact with said envelope portion.

8. In a cathode ray tube having an electron gun assembly with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and at least one transversely formed assembly member, a plurality of resilient spacer and contact means for laterally supporting said gun assembly within an encompassing envelope neck portion and make electrical contact with a conductive coating disposed on the inner envelope surface, each of said spacer and connective means comprising:

a resilient metallic spacer and connective support having a pair of cooperating members in the form of an inner and an outer leg each having a plurality of related portions therein, each of said legs being aflixed to said electron gun assembly member in a position substantially radial to said axis to provide interaction between said legs wherein said inner leg strengthens said outer leg which is formed to make pressured contact with said envelope neck portion and said coating thereon, said legs being spaced apart in a substantially tandem position on said electron gun assembly member with said outer leg positioned adjacent the perimeter of said assembly member and said inner leg oriented laterally toward said axis therefrom, said legs being joined at distal ends to provide said two-leg spacer support which projects from said gun assembly member in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto and substantially radial to said axis; each of said respective legs are formed to have a plurality of related bends spaced 11 therein to provide related pivotal means for the respective related leg portions forming interacting related elements in each of two cooperating lever combinations; said spaced positioning of said respective legs on said assembly member determine the angular positioning of said related lever elements in each leg to provide the combined resilient support of two legs for each spacer support affixed to said gun assembly and efi'ect pressured contact With said envelope portion to provide electrical connection between said envelope coating and said gun assembly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,323,140 6/1943 Lane 313-257 5 2,859,366 11/1948 Squier 31382 2,877,370 3/1959 Hanson 31382 3,062,982 11/1962 Romans 313292 JAMES W. LAWRENCE, Primary Examiner.

10 ARTHUR GAUSS, Examiner.

V. LAFRANCHI, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE HAVING AN ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY WITH A LONGITUDINAL AXIS EXTENDING THERETHROUGH AND AT LEAST ONE TRANSVERSELY FORMED ASSEMBLY MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF RESILIENT SPACER MEANS FOR LATERALLY SUPPORTING SAID ASSEMBLY WITHIN AN ENCOMPASSING ENVELOPE PORTION AND MAKING POSITIVE CONTACT THEREWITH, EACH OF SAID SPACED MEANS COMPRISING: A RESILIENT METALLIC SPACER SUPPORT HAVING A PAIR OF COOPERATING MEMBERS IN THE FORM OF AN INNER AND AN OUTER LEG, EACH HAVING A PLURALITY OF RELATED PORTIONS THEREIN, EACH OF SAID LEGS HAVING A PROXIMAL FOOT AFFIXED TO THE SURFACE OF SAID TRANSVERSE ASSEMBLY MEMBER IN A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY RADIAL TO SAID AXIS, SAID LEGS BEING SPACED APART IN A SUBSTANTIALLY TANDEM POSITON WITH SAID OUTER POSITION ADJACENT THE PERIMETER OF SAID ASSEMBLY MEMBER AND SAID INNER LEG ORIENTED RADIALLY TOWARD SAID AXIS THEREFROM, SAID LEGS BEING TERMINALLY JOINED AT THEIR DISTAL ENDS TO PROVIDE A TWO-LEG SPACER SUPPORT PROJECTING FROM SAID ASSEMBLY MEMBER IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR THERETO AND RADIAL TO SAID AXIS, SAID INNER LEG OF SAID SPACER SUPPORT PROVIDING STRENGTHENING MEANS TO SAID OUTER LEG WHICH IS FORMED WITH A DISCRETE CURVE THEREIN TO CONTACT SAID ENVELOPE PORTION, SAID JOINED LEGS EACH HAVING A PLURALITY OF RELATED BENDS SPACED THEREIN TO PROVIDE RELATED PIVOTAL MEANS FOR THE RELATED LEG PORTIONS FORMING LEVER ELEMENTS THEREBETWEEN TO EFFECT A COOPERATING LEVER COMBINATION IN EACH LEG, SAID TANDEM POSITIONS OF SAID LEGS DETERMINES THE ANGULAR ORIENTATION OF SAID RELATED LEVER ELEMENTS THEREIN TO PROVIDE RESILIENT SUPPORT FOR SAID ASSEMBLY AND EFFECT PRESSURED CONTACT WITH SAID ENVELOPE PORTION. 